Lunch & Learn Series: Building Inclusive Dialogue and Practice

The Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging is hosting a series of monthly professional development sessions designed to strengthen inclusive leadership, dialogue, and equity-centered practice. Each session invites reflection, skill-building, and actionable strategies to enhance our shared culture of belonging at Fairfield University. This is the second session led by Vernée Butterfield, PhD.

Topic: Creating Brave Spaces: Facilitating Difficult Conversations Across Roles

How do we create spaces where difficult conversations can occur with respect, honesty, and care for one another?  This interactive session invites Fairfield faculty and staff to strengthen their ability to facilitate challenging conversations across roles and perspectives. Grounded in Fairfield’s Jesuit values of cura personalis, dignity, and care for the whole community, participants will explore strategies for navigating emotionally charged discussions while fostering dialogue that promotes understanding, accountability, and mutual respect.

Participants will learn to:

• Facilitate cross-role dialogue that honors diverse perspectives
• De-escalate tension and guide conversations toward productive engagement
• Model active listening, curiosity, and thoughtful inquiry
• Build environments of mutual respect and psychological safety

Location: BCC 200
Date: Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Time: 12:00 - 1:30 pm

RSVP here.  Seating is limited.